"Always Ready" Brigade: "Bring awareness 365 days a year"

(FORT HOOD, Texas, April 24, 2018)-- The month of April is the U.S. Army's awareness month for Sexual Harassment/Assault Awareness and Prevention. The 504th Military Intelligence Brigade recently formed its troops on the "Always Ready" field in support of Sexual Harassment/Assault Awareness Prevention. On April 20th soldiers, family and pets participated in a brigade run.

The Secretary of the Army and Chief of Staff of the Army reported to Congress on March 15, " Taking care of our people ensures Soldiers and Families have the support they need to focus on preparing to deploy, fight, and win our Nation's wars."

"Bring awareness 365 days a year," said Sgt. 1st Class Catherine Green, the 504th brigade Sexual Assault Response Coordinator. "What hurts one hurts all."

Green said that sexual harassment and assault demoralize a unit by bringing down readiness. The victim, essentially, is not mentally prepared due to trauma caused by sexual harassment and or assault.

Lt. Col Alex Leonovich, the 504th brigade commander, spoke at the run event. He said to remember and recommit ourselves to the sexual assault prevention threat to our formation and the U.S. Army.

"Create an environment where it is not tolerated in the unit," he said

In order to establish the no tolerance guideline, members of the 504th are trained on specific behavior and the defining line of sexual harassment and sexual assault, said Green. Soldiers can support the program by respecting their battle buddies.

There are incidences where victims are too scared to report, said Green. She recommends that soldiers report and let the system work. If soldiers do not report, perpetrators get away with committing sexual assault or harassment. The impact on the victim creates a hostile work environment and decreases work effort.

Soldiers who are interested in obtaining information regarding the Sexual Assault Response Program can contact their local SAPR members. Also, information is available in the army regulation about different types of approaches to dealing with sexual harassment; the role of the victim advocate, and reporting options available to victims.

"Everything we are doing already supports the program," said Green. "The commanders and first sergeants emphasize the program."